CONGESTION DODGE

RAPE FUGITIVE

It came as Scottish Government ministers refused to say whether an independent Scotland would reapply for EU membership.

Even if Nicola Sturgeon’s demand for a poll in autumn 2018 was granted and the Nationalists won, becoming independent would take a minimum of 18 months - and the UK would already have left the EU in March 2019.

Any application by a country wanting to join the EU can be vetoed by any of the 27 countries.

Spain has its own separatist movements as does Belgium and Italy.

Nato boss Jens Stoltenberg has also insisted any new state must reapply for membership – and all 28 allies must decide if they can join up.